00:00I decided to run for governor because I firmly believe that Minnesota needs serious and systemic
00:11change. Fraud is rampant. Our streets are unsafe. We need to honor and respect law enforcement much
00:18more. Our education results lag behind Mississippi. Our taxes are absurdly high and we're losing great
00:26businesses and people because of those taxes and ever-increasing regulations. I believe Minnesota
00:32has seriously lost its way. You've been there for me and I will forever be grateful.
00:42But today I announced the end of my campaign. I have two primary reasons for this decision.
00:49Number one, I cannot support the National Republican stated retribution on the citizens
00:55of our state, nor can I count myself a member of a party that would do so. I support the
01:03originally stated goals of Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Operation Metro Surge in locating and
01:08deporting the worst of the worst from our state. And I've seen many examples of ICE arresting non-U.S.
01:14citizens in Minnesota convicted of serious crimes, including murder, rape, and child sexual assault.
01:21No reasonable person should want these people here and I am glad that they are gone.
01:25But Operation Metro Surge has expanded far beyond its stated focus on true public safety threats.
01:34United States citizens, particularly those of color, live in fear. United States citizens are
01:41carrying papers to prove their citizenship. That's wrong. ICE has authorized its agents to raid homes using a
01:49civil warrant that need only be signed by a border patrol agent. That's unconstitutional and it's wrong.
01:57Weaponizing criminal investigations against political opponents is unconstitutional,
02:02regardless of who is in power. Republicans and Democrats alike have engaged in this misconduct,
02:08and both must be held to the same standard. They need to do better.
02:13Now the second reason I'm ending my campaign is that I am above all else a pragmatist. And the reality is,
02:23is that the national Republicans have made it nearly impossible for a Republican to win a statewide
02:28election in Minnesota. It is a simple fact. And I want to make clear that I believe many unfairly do not
02:35provide the president with nearly enough credit for some of the things he has done for our country.
02:42So today, I end my candidacy as governor of the great state of Minnesota. Believe me,
02:47if I could reach into my pocket and pull out the necessary many millions of dollars to run as an
02:52independent, I would. But again, reality guides my decision.
02:55One final note. I ask all Minnesotans to please do more to respect and thank our state and local
03:04law enforcement officers, particularly those in the Minneapolis Police Department.
03:08We know that federal immigration operations have led to increased street-level activity,
03:13community disruptions, and complaints about tactics that affect the public trust.
03:18We also know that the governor, the attorney general, and the mayor of Minneapolis have prohibited
03:23state and local law enforcement from assisting their federal counterparts,
03:28even when those federal law enforcement officers have been physically attacked by agitators.
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